I realize as the days go by that writing is really helpful in getting me out of my head. I have been working on chapters for an online mental health textbook. Yes, chapters, plural. It is exciting and overwhelming all in one. The good thing is that keeping busy is really helpful during the grieving period. For me, it helps me to focus on something other than the numbness I am currently feeling.

What do you find helps when you are in a period of mourning? People keep asking me how I am doing. I am tired of saying I feel tired and numb so I just smile and say, “Okay.” Leave it at that. Move along to the next task. Maybe distraction is more like putting my head in the sand but for now it is working.

Gardening

Today I had lunch with a friend and then went to Home Depot to buy 10 bags of mulch. I had intended to do a bunch of weeding and mulching. That did not happen. Instead I came home, jumped back on the computer, and wrote until my husband got home. Then we both took an hour nap. That was just what I needed.

Tomorrow I will tackle getting my front gardens to look more presentable. Digging out the weeds and placing the mulch will be therapeutic. My dad liked doing yard work, so I will think of him while I work. And then I will go back to my writing.